protzef



(No Model.) 2 ShetsSheet I.

- F. PROTZEN.

TRUNK.

WITNESSES INVENTOR': v

' ATTORNEYS.

(No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 2.

F. PROTZEN.

TRUNK.

No. 249,092. Patented Nov. 1,1881.

a e Ue oU o a a E MEI WITNESSES INVENTOR ATTORNEYS.

\ grapher, Washxnglan. n. c

Uivrrnn STATES PATENT Fries.

TRUNK.

SPECIFICATION formingpart of Letters Patent No. 249,C92, dated November 1, 1881.

Application filed September 24, 18811 (No model.) Patented in Germany May 11, 1879.

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, FRANZ PROTZEN, of Stargardt, Prussia, Germany, have invented certain useful Improvements in Trunks, of which the following is a specification.

The object of my invention is to provide a new and improved trunk or valise which can be increased or decreased in size, as circumstances may require, very easily and rapidly.

The invention consists of a valise or trunk constructed with stiffenin g-frames, to the outer edges of which strips are pivoted whichican be swung outward and locked in this position to form extensions of the frames and for stiffening the flexible or folding part of the covering of the valise or trunk, whereby the size of the trunk or valise can be decreased or increased by folding these pivoted stripsinward or outward, as will be more fully described hereinafter.

Reference is to be had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, in which similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts in all the figures.

Figure 1 is a perspective view of my improved trunk or valise, showing it folded and closed. Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the same, showingit enlarged and closed. Fig. 3 is a perspective of the same, showingitfolded and opened. Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the same, showingitenlarged and opened. Fig. 5 is a perspective view of one half of the frame of the trunk, showing the hinged wings raised. Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the same, showing a modification in the construction.

The trunk or valise consists of two frames, A, which are hinged to each other, as shown in Figs. 3 and 4, these frames being covered and lined in the ordinary manner. The sides 13 of the trunk are not fastened to the frames A A directly, but are fastened to flexible or folding strips 0, which are fastened to the edges of the frames A, these folding strips being made of leather, oil-cloth, canvas, &c., in the same manner as the sides of valises have been connected with the frames heretofore. The frames A are hinged to each other at their inner edges, and when the valise or trunk is closed the inner edges of the frames A rest against each other.

To the outer edges of the frames A boards. or strips D D D D, of equal width, are hinged in such a manner that they can be folded into the inside of the frames A. The longitudinal strips D are of exactly the same length as the corresponding sides of the frames A, and the transverse or end strips, D, are double the thickness of the strips D, shorter than the ends of the frames A, so that these end strips, D, can pass in between the longitudinal strips D, when they are all swung outward, as shown in Fig. 5; but, if desired, the above arrangement can be reversed and the longitudinal strips D can pass in between the end strips, D. The end strips, D, are provided'with latches E, the bolts of which are passed into apertures in the strips D, as shown in Fig. 5, or the bolts of the latches may be passed into the edge of the corresponding end strips of the frame A, these latches serving to stiffen and brace the pivoted strips when the same are swung outward; but in place of the latches other suitable devices may be provided for bracing the pivoted strips D D. For instance, spiral springs F may be interposed between the edges of the frames A and the edges ofthepivoted strips D or D, one end of each spring being fastened to a frame, A, and the other end of this spring being fastened to the corresponding pivoted strip. These springs F have the tendency to fold the strips D within the frames A. If the strips are to be swung outward and are to be held in this position, the several strips brace each other, and a bracing-strip, G, is placed into the frames A, the ends of this strip passing in between two sets of cleats, H, attached to the inner surface of the sides ofthe frames, as shown in Figs. 3 and 4, or the ends of the strip G are held in any other suitable manner.

A button, J, is attached to each longitudinal side strip of the frame A, to prevent the strip D from being folded inward too far by the springs F. If the springs F are not provided the strips D D can be folded to rest against the inner sides of the frames A, as shown in Fig. 4.

The operation is follows: If but few articles are to be placed into the trunk or valise, the strips D D remain folded within the frames A, and the flexible part 0 is folded, as shown in Figs. 2 and 3. If a larger space in the va lise or trunk is desired, the strips D D are swung outward and are braced by means of the latches E and the bracing-strip G, the 5 flexible folding part 0 of the trunk or valise covering being distended and stiflened by the strips D D. A trunk or valise of great capacity and with a stiffened frame is thus formed, and it at any time the capacity of this [0 trunk or valise is to be decreased, all that is necessary is to fold the strips D D within the frames 'A and press the sides B against the outer edges of the frames A. In place of the strips D D rectangular metal frames may be 15 used.

The corners of the valise are preferably provided with metal corner-plates K. Otherwise the trunk or valise is trimmed and fitted out like an ordinary trunk or va-lise.

Having thus fully described my invention, 20

day of May, 1881.

FRANZ PROTZEN.

Witnesses:

FRANZ ScHUncrzE, ALvEs'ro S. HOGUE. 

